Explore Engineering at UCLA

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science invites motivated international high school students to Los Angeles, California, to participate in a rigorous pre-engineering and cultural enrichment program at UCLA.

Working in small teams, Explore Engineering at UCLA participants will design, build, and test their technical creations. Our world-renowned UCLA Engineering faculty and students run workshops, provide tutoring and mentorship in order to ensure that participants gain the knowledge and skill needed to complete the challenges. Participants will learn about careers in engineering and admission to UCLA while creating friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.

Explore Engineering at UCLA is an intensive three week hands on engineering summer program. Explore Engineering is much more than a summer session course with open enrollment. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the dean of UCLA Engineering.

Program Benefits & Outcomes

Prestigious UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science Program – only international high school program that offers an opportunity to work with UCLA Engineering students, faculty, and staff in our engineering facilities and labs.

Gain a competitive-edge on peers applying to US institutions – participants will gain hands-on experience building technical prototypes that they can write about in their statement of purpose that US universities are looking for in their undergraduate applicants. Practical application of your math and science knowledge is highly valued by US institutions and companies. This experience will give you and edge-up from others who only have excellent test scores.

Explore Engineering at UCLA participants who successfully complete the program will receive an exclusive signed certificate from the Dean of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Participants will participate in engineering design work that will be judged by Explore Engineering at UCLA faculty and staff.

Program Components

Technical Challenge

At the start of Explore Engineering at UCLA program, participants will be broken up into teams and presented an engineering technical challenge. Technical tutorials and mentoring delivered by UCLA engineering students will provide context and skill required to complete the challenge (1 mentor for every 5 Explorers). Teams will have an opportunity to design, build, and test their technical creations in preparation for the challenges at the culmination of the program. Participants will have an opportunity to work on one project through the duration of the program, but will learn about all four projects through peer to peer Friday presentations. Projects from the 2016 program included:

Presentations from UCLA Engineering Faculty

Each week of the program, students have the opportunity to attend a catered lunch presentation by a UCLA Engineering professor and to listen to and ask questions on their research. This great opportunity opens students’ eyes to the other fields of Engineering and its applications that they may not already be familiar with.

Industry Tech Talks

Participants are invited to meet engineers from several engineering firms. The purpose of these talks is to expose students to the amazing job opportunities at the engineering industry. Company employees get to share what they are looking for when they recruit and hire engineering students. Seasoned engineers will share personal insight and lessons learned along their engineering career path that they think might benefit a high school student who is just starting off.

Academic Workshops

Participants will have the opportunity to attend weekly Academic Workshops that include:

Life of a UCLA Engineering student – a panel discussion by current UCLA Engineering undergraduates on why they chose UCLA, their experience applying to UCLA, and life as a college student at UCLA.

UCLA Engineering Admissions – learn about the application process and what is needed to be a successful applicant to UCLA Engineering through a presentation by our UCLA Engineering Admissions Counselor.

UC Personal Statement Workshop – This workshop brings in UC readers to share what they are looking for in a strong and persuasive UC personal statement.

Evening Journals

Participants will spend a few minutes each day reflecting and writing about their experiences. These journals will help participants prepare for their presentation at the conclusion of the program. It will also provide them with valuable insight about their experience that can be leveraged when composing a statement of purpose for their college application or any other educational opportunity.

Explore Engineering At UCLA Finale

A culminating event and awards will be scheduled near the end of the program which will showcase the technical creations of each team. An exhibition challenge will take place and awards will be presented based on creativity and design achievement. Participants will work with mentors to prepare and deliver presentations on the work conducted by their team as well as sharing programmatic highlights. Family and friends are encouraged to join in the Explore Engineering at UCLA finale.

Experience the Campus

Housing and Cultural Exchange

Explore Engineering students will live in residence halls on UCLA’s beautiful campus. They will be supervised by UCLA Engineering mentors who will plan social activities and workshops for the students. Participants and mentors will share something unique from their cultural background through an activity or demonstration such as skits, story-telling, song and dance, etc… Students will participate in evening and weekend activities with domestic American students, where international students can practice their English and experience complete immersion in American culture.

Weekly Workshops

Engineering Mentors will create workshops for the students. Workshops from 2016 included: resume writing, creating an effective PowerPoint, time management and balancing fun with academics

Weekend Trips around LA

Meet & Greets

Explore students will have the opportunity to meet and talk to domestic students living in UCLA’s residence halls. They will eat dinner together at one of UCLA’s dining halls.

Tour The Campus & Experience UCLA Campus Culture

In addition, there are multiple businesses within walking distance of the Campus, including: Urban Outfitters, In-n-Out, Trader’s Joe, Bruin Theater, and more.

Balance Fun and Work

With just under 4 million residents, Los Angeles is the second largest metropolitan city in the United States (US Census 2012). The City of Los Angeles holds many distinctions. LA is the entertainment capital of the world, a cultural mecca boasting more than 300 museums, and a paradise of good weather. From tourist attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s collection of stars (numbering 2,482, and growing by one or two a month) to career opportunities like those presented in the expanding biotech industry, Los Angeles is the place to be. Explore UCLA Engineering students will balance work and fun with several opportunities to experience the Southern California lifestyle by participating in the following activities:

Utilizing our campus recreation facilities

Engaging in our evening social and leadership workshops

Visiting Westwood (where our university students, eat, shop and play) during free-time, and

Participating in our Friday evening and weekend social activities with domestic US students.

In addition, weekend excursions to LA tourist attractions will be made available at an additional cost.